BART stabbing: What do increased police patrols actually look like? ABC7 rides BART all day to find out

HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- In response to the fatal stabbing on a train Tuesday, BART says General Manager Bob Powers and interim police Chief Ed Alvarez are working with the police union to increase visible officer patrols throughout the transit agency's system.

RELATED: Victim found stabbed at South Hayward BART station was killed intervening in theft
[Ads /]
BART says, effective immediately, they are increasing the presence of BART police throughout the system. Additional sworn officers, non-sworn community service officers and fare inspectors will also be in the system, on platforms and riding trains.

We wanted to see what that looks like from a rider's perspective.

Follow along with ABC7 News reporter Kris Reyes as she rides BART across the Bay Area, documenting what she sees from a safety and security perspective.



[Ads /]





[Ads /]







So why did we not see many police officers? BART provided this explanation:

"All patrol officers are required to ride trains during each shift. We also have a team of officers who are dedicated to riding trains.

During the peak of commute, there are as many as 58 trains in service. Most shifts are staffed with about 30 officers, so we do not have enough officers to be on every train.



We rely on our BART customers to be our eyes and ears, to report illegal activity. Our officers will respond."

See more stories and videos about BART.